Geysir is a dormant hot spring in the geothermal area, Haukadalur Valley, found in South Iceland. Making up just one of the attractions along the world famous Golden Circle sightseeing route—alongside Thingvellir National Park and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall—Geysir is most well-known for having lent its name to geysers around the world.

Geography

Though Geysir itself is rarely active, Haukadalur Valley boasts a plethora of hot springs, including the powerful Strokkur, Smidur and Litli-Strokkur. Strokkur is, arguably, the country’s most famous hot spring, shooting vast jets of boiling water over fifteen metres in the area. Don’t worry about missing this incredible spectacle of nature as Strokkur erupts every five to ten minutes—make sure to have your camera ready!

Just five minutes walk north of Geysir can be found a wealth of fumaroles emanating steam and gas into the cool Icelandic air. Aside from watching the hypnotic pillars of steam, you will also be able to observe the yellow sulfuric stains along the fumaroles themselves, a result of the steam crystallising around the rock bed.

At the southern part of the valley, Thykkuhverir, you‘ll find various bubbling mud pots. These spooky brown cauldrons are actually fumaroles that boil up through the loose grown; after a dry spell, these mud pools are likely to transform into a hardened fumarole.

Nearby Attractions

About 2 km from Geysir is a preserved natural pool called Kúalaug. It has room for 3-5 people at a time, but care should be taken, as the area around the pool is very delicate. The temperature is 39-43°C, depending on where you are positioned in the pool. The water is slightly muddy, as the pool is built on soil, and the bottom is slippery due to algae, so caution is advised when relaxing here.

Haukadalur has also seen a rise in re-forestation in recent times thanks to continued experiments and research in the area. Today, Haukadalsskógur is one of the largest forests in South Iceland, boasting accessible walking paths (also for wheelchair users), fascinating vegetation and The Tree Museum, built in the memory of forester Gunnar Freysteinsson.

History

Haukadalur has been a church site since ancient times and has been inhabited since the Age of Settlement. Given its historic value, it should be noted that scholar, Ari “The Wise“ Thorgilsson, grew up there; it was also where the first pastoral school in Iceland was built there. The current wooden church was last rebuilt in 1938 but its architectural style of the dates back to 1842, making it one of the oldest of its kind in Iceland.

For accommodation, Hotel Gullfoss is approximately 7 km from the Geysir area, and closer still is Hotel Geysir.

Gullfoss (translated to ‘Golden Falls’) is one of Iceland’s most iconic and beloved waterfalls, found on the Hvítá river canyon in south Iceland. The water in Hvítá river travels from the glacier Langjökull, finally cascading 32m down Gullfoss’ two stages in a dramatic display of nature’s raw power.

Because of the waterfall’s two stages, Gullfoss should actually be thought of as two separate waterfalls. The first, shorter stage of the waterfall is 11m, whilst the second stage is 21m. The canyon walls on both sides of the waterfall reach heights of up to 70m, descending into the 2.5km long Gullfossgjúfur canyon (geologists indicate that this canyon was formed by glacial outbursts at the beginning of the last age.)

In the summer, approximately 140 cubic metres of water surges down the waterfall every second, whilst in winter that number drops to around 109 cubic metres. With such energy, visitor’s should not be surprised to find themselves drenched by the waterfall’s mighty spray-off.

History

In the early days of the last century, Gullfoss was at the centre of much controversy regarding foreign investors and their desire to profit off Iceland’s nature. In the year 1907, an English businessman known only as Howells sought to utilise the waterfall’s energy and harboured ambitions to use its energy to fuel a hydroelectric plant.

At the time, Gullfoss was owned by a farmer named Tómas Tómasson. Tómas declined Howell’s offer to purchase the land, stating famously “I will not sell my friend!” He would, however, go on to lease Howells the land, inadvertently beginning the first chapter of Icelandic environmentalism.

It was Tómas’ daughter, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who would lead the charge. Having grown up on her father’s sheep farm, she sought to get the lease contract nullified, hurriedly saving her own money to hire a lawyer. The ensuing legal battle was an uphill struggle; the case continued for years, forcing Sigríður to travel many times by foot to Reykjavík if only to keep the trial moving. Circumstances became so difficult that Sigríður threatened to throw herself into the waterfall if any construction began.

Thankfully, in 1929, the waterfall fell back into the hands of the Icelandic people. Today, Sigríður is recognised for her perseverance in protecting Gullfoss and is often hailed as Iceland’s first environmentalist. Her contribution is forever marked in stone; a plaque detailing her plight sits at the top of Gullfoss.

Restaurant / Cafe

Besides Gullfoss, visitors can enjoy the views from Gullfoss Cafe, a locally run delicatessen that serves a wide variety of refreshments and meals. The menu has options to tantalise everyone’s taste buds; hot soups, sandwiches, salads and cakes. There is also a shop on site where visitors’ can browse and purchase traditional Icelandic souvenirs.

Þingvellir National Park is Iceland’s only UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the major stops on the world famous Golden Circle sightseeing tour, alongside Haukadalur Geothermal Valley (Geysir) and Gullfoss Waterfall. Just to the south of the park is Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake.

Geography

The first thing that visitors to the National Park notice is its sheer aesthetic beauty; dried magma fields, covered in Icelandic moss, sit carved by glacial springs and surrounded by a bowl of ancient mountain peaks.

Two of the greatest attractions in the park are the exposed North American and Eurasian tectonic plates; it is one of the only regions in the world where you can see geology such as this. Visitors are encouraged to walk along the North American tectonic plate, where they can read more about the area’s fascinating formation and history.

History

Þingvellir can be anglicised to “Fields of Parliament”, a nod to the area’s fascinating history and relevance to Icelandic culture. It is here, after all, that the world’s first democratically elected parliament, the Althing, was formed in 930 AD.

This saw the birth of the Old Icelandic Commonwealth, a time of independence and freedom for the Icelandic people before they became constituents of the Norwegian monarchy. Sessions would continue to be held at Þingvellir until 1798.

Another major reason as to why Þingvellir is considered so important to Icelanders is the fact that this is where the decision was made to abandon the belief of Paganism and the Norse Gods, instead adopting Christianity in 1000 AD. This turning point in history was left to the pagan lawspeaker, Thorgeir Thorkelsson, who rested on the choice for one day and one night before reappearing to share his decision.

Silfra Fissure

Þingvellir is one of the most widely visited attractions in Iceland, in large part due to the fact that is home to the glacial spring, Silfra Fissure, one of the top 10 sites in the world for snorkellers and scuba divers.

Silfra (meaning “Silver”) is a submerged ravine within the park, boasting visibility of up to 100 metres and a temperature just above freezing. Participants in these tours will be attired at the Silfra carpark in neoprene hoodies and gloves, as well as an undersuit and drysuit for thermal protection.

Þingvallavatn (anglicised as Thingvallavatn, “Lake of the Parliament”) is a rift valley lake located roughly forty minutes drive from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik.

Features of Þingvallavatn.

Þingvallavatn is partially within the boundaries of Þingvellir National Park, Iceland’s largest national park and only one with UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Covering an area of 84 km², Þingvallavatn is the largest natural lake in Iceland with its greatest depth measuring at 114 m. Þingvallavatn is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Rift, on a part of the ridge known as the Reykjanes Ridge. The lake has only one outflow, the river Sog.

Of particular note to biologists and fishermen are the four morphs of Arctic Char that inhabit the lake. The lake’s char are an excellent example of species evolving to fit and adapt to a secluded environment; over ten thousand years, one species of Char has transformed into four different-sub branches. Other fish in the lake include the the Brown Trout and the Three-Spine Stickleback.

History and Geology

Þingvallavatn takes its name from the historical founding of the Althingi, which occurred in 930 AD at what is now known as Þingvellir National Park. Þingvellir literally translates to “Fields of Parliament.” The Althingi was the first democratically elected parliament in world history; Icelanders used to travel by foot or horseback simply to congregate at Þingvellir where they would hear the latest laws and judgements of the island.

Þingvellir National Park is also notable for its geology. Given its position on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, the park is one of the only places on the planet where visitors can see both the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates standing exposed from the earth. Footpaths allow you to get up close and personal to the plates, standing right where the ancient settlers once did. In between the tectonic plates lies fields of dried volcanic rock, blanketed with a thick, yet fragile layer of Icelandic moss.

Scuba Diving at Silfra / David's Crack

Scuba diving around Þingvallavatn revolves around two sites, Silfra Fissure and David’s Crack, the former being one of the most popular spots on the planet for snorkelling and underwater exploration. Silfra Fissure is situated between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and is filled with crystal-clear glacial water originating from the Langjokull ice cap. The water measures at between 2-3 degrees Celsius all year round, a slight current preventing the fissure from ever freezing over.

David’s Crack is found within Þingvallavatn and is often considered the darker and more dramatic cousin of Silfra Fissure, resembling the gorge formation so prevalent across the Mid Atlantic Rift. Only certain tour operators provide David’s Crack, so make sure to do some research beforehand if you are looking to access this dive site during your time in Iceland.

Laugarvatn is a hamlet of around 200 people, by the lake of the same name and originally formed around the boarding school there. It is located in South Iceland, around 93 km from Reykjavik. Laugarvatn is popular as a summer resort and as a stop for travelers, as it is located near many of Iceland’s top attractions, such as Gullfoss and Geysir (part of the Golden Circle) and the ancient Skalholt bishop seat.

Environment & Fontana Spa

The environment of Laugavatn is very pleasant, as a forest has been planted there and brooks and streams further contribute to the scenery. A beautiful and shallow lake, Lake Laugarvatn is rich in aquatic life and good char and lake trout fishing can be made there as well. Boats and gear for watersport can indeed be rented at Laugarvatn. As the shores of the lake feature geothermal springs, it was decided to build a spa there.

At the Fontana spa at Laugarvatn you can relax in the excellent geothermal swimming pool and the three steam rooms known collectively as Gufan. The spa also features a Finnish-style sauna and three interconnected mineral baths. At the spa you can also enjoy the stone artwork of artist Erla Thorarinsdottir. At the Viska hot tub you’ll further have a nice view of the Laugarvatn surroundings. Vatnid (‘The Lake’) and Strondin (‘The Beach’) complete the experience, the black sand of the former having been shown to be beneficial to those suffering from joint illnesses and Vatnid offering a healthy cooling down between visiting Gufan and the Ylur sauna.

Gallery & Accommodation

While at Laugarvatn, we also recommend checking out the Gallery Laugarvatn, which features a wide display of Icelandic handicraft and offers bed and breakfast as well.

Laugarvatn has a boarding school that functions as a popular hotel, i.e. Hotel Edda, in the summer. A number of guesthouses, hostels, rental apartments and cottages are also to be found in the area. Laugarvatn offers all basic services and is highly popular throughout the year.

Faxi is a wide, serene waterfall in South Iceland, approximately twelve kilometres away from Gullfoss and Geysir, two incredibly popular attractions on the Golden Circle. It can be found in the Tungufljót River.

Hiking and salmon fishing are the two most popular activities in the area. Although it is not particularly rapid, kayaking and rafting are banned here; those eager to participate in one of these excursions should head to the nearby Hvíta River.